Back to school - are you organised?

Whether your child is starting school for the first time or you are just trying to get organised for Back to School, we have put together a handy checklist of all you need to start a new school year.

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Get kitted out

Buy and source all your uniform, gym kits, shoes, bags, pencil cases and lunch boxes ready for Back to School. Use our handy checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.

Look out for great deals in the shops and also why not sell your old uniforms and kit on ourNearly Newand see if you can find some preloved kits to buy there too. Some schools also hold second hand uniform sales in the first week.

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Easy lunches

If your child is starting school practice having packed lunches at home. Make sure that your children can open up their lunch box and any cartons, boxes etc (some little hands struggle with the catches). A freezable ice pack is a good idea to keep food fresh. Find more handy tips for making up packed lunches

School coat

You might not need to think about a warm school coat until late September or October. Coats can be expensive so why not check our Nearly New boardfor any pre-loved ones or check supermarkets for coats that are more reasonably priced. Lightweight macs are great for the start of term.

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Label everything

There's nothing worse than new uniform and school kit getting lost. Short of writing on your child's head we recommend labellingeverything. We love Stickins - which are simple and stay in place. Stamptastic stampsprint on everything from fabric to bags to lunchboxes. For bright and cheery labelsEasy2Name are fab and you can always use a ball point pen or fabric pen too.

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Skills to practice

If your little one is starting school there are plenty of things you can practice with your child in advance to make sure they have all the skills they need to cope with the school day. Read moreon the kinds of things you should be helping your child with - such as toileting habits, doing up coats and shoes, and getting ready to learn. And find some great ideas to help prepare them emotionally

Deal with worries

Whether your child is starting school for the first time or going into a new class with a new teacher, the first day back can bring on nerves and worries. We've put together some tips on how to deal with worries and concerns about the first day of school and how mums can stop themselves feeling so anxious too when they wave their little ones off.

Also a good tea, warm bath and an early night with everything all laid out and ready to go helps make the first school morning go more smoothly.

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Mum time

Whether your first child is starting school or you are waving off your youngest child at the school gates, Back to School can be a big change for mums too. You might suddenly be left with more time, an empty house and a feeling that it is the end of an era.

To quell any first day butterflies you might feel (and avoid sobbing visibly into your hanky in front of your child) we have put together some tips from other mums